Lives in Cricket No 50 - Tom Emmett

31 A man in demand (1867-1871) town until 1874, putting in many impressive performances in local games, including against their regular opponents, Keighley, and various visiting touring sides. He also appeared in other locally significant contests, for example, for Kelso against Northumberland – ‘generally looked upon as the match of the season’ according to the local press – in 1872, where he made the ‘hit of the day’ out of the ground. A joint benefit match was held for Emmett and H.Reynolds in 1875 to recognise his contributions during his time in the town. Despite these changes of circumstance, there was much continuity in the programme of games that Emmett embarked upon in the spring of 1870. He appeared at Lord’s twice in May, firstly in a very one-sided match between Left- and Right-handed players (his debut on the ground), and then for Yorkshire against the MCC. In the latter game, Emmett and Freeman bowled out the home side for 73, and then triggered a collapse from 121-2 to 161 all out in the second innings, with only W.G.Grace and C.F.Green making a stand. Emmett was then involved in an extremely tight finish, making 12 not out to secure a Yorkshire victory by one wicket. One report considered the finish ‘was the most magnificent ever seen at Lord’s. It looked hopeless for Yorkshire before Greenwood and Emmett got together, but as they kept adding run to run the excitement rose to fever heat and frequent cheers. Greenwood’s hitting was splendid. Emmett showed very fine defence.’ The pair took the score from 93 to 145 quickly, but Greenwood – reportedly keen to finish the game – was then run out (Greenwood later blamed Emmett), before Emmett and West saw things through. The latter apparently ‘came in smiling, and, amid breathless silence played the two remaining balls of Shaw’s over. Emmett cut the first ball of Wootton’s next over and they ran two, thus making Yorkshire the winners’. According to Greenwood, Emmett came off the field, saying ‘If we hed loosened t’ match ah sud nivver’av shawn mi face in ‘t pavilion for running thi aht.’ He claimed to have lost sight of the fielder who was hidden by the umpire. 21 The match was also notable for what W.G.Grace later claimed was his finest innings, the 66 he made against Emmett and Freeman on ‘one of the roughest, bumpiest wickets ever seen at Lord’s.’ Later, Freeman commented: ‘Emmett and I have often said that it was a marvel the Doctor was not either maimed or unnerved for the rest of his days or killed outright, and I often think of his pluck when I watch a modern batsman scared if a medium-paced ball hits him on the hand. He should have seen our expresses flying against Grace’s ribs, shoulders and head in 1870.’ The same match was recalled by Emmett, who called it the finest innings he ever saw, adding: I verily believe there wasn’t one square inch of the Doctor, from his ankles up to his shoulders, that wasn’t black and blue after that score. We barked his shins, battered his thighs, skinned his fingers, rattled his ribs, pounded his chest, thumped his elbow, and made a mark of his back, but he didn’t seem to mind.